Kelly: Analyzing the NFL's 2025 draft class of safeties

Miami Herald

23-04-2025

Every team's looking for the next Derwin James, Minkah Fitzpatrick or Kyle Hamilton.
But very few college safeties have that trio's blend of size, physicality, athleticism and instincts. And usually, each prospect is missing one or more of those traits. Then there's the batch that's recovering from an injury, or turned in just one season of high-level productivity.
That seems to be the case with a number of the top-tier safeties in the 2025 draft class, which possesses two prospects who could sneak into the back end of the first round.
Top Prospects
▪ Georgia's Malaki Starks — Starks, who contributed 197 tackles, 5.5 sacks and six interceptions in his three collegiate seasons, is a do-it-all safety who roams the back end of one of college football's best defenses. He has impressive ball skills and a ton of position versatility. But his 2024 film doesn't come close to the showing he had in 2023, and NFL teams need to figure out which version he is. He will likely be a top-40 selection because of his reputation as a leader and hard worker.
▪ South Carolina's Nick Emmanwori — No prospect in this draft elevated his stock more at the NFL Combine than Emmanwori, who showcased his speed (4.38 in the 40), athleticism (11-foot, 6-inch broad jump and 43-inch vertical), and strength (20 reps of 225). He has played cornerback and safety in college, but is best when working in the box as a run defender. The only fear is that this 6-3, 227-pounder will outgrow the safety spot.
▪ Notre Dame's Xavier Watts — Watts, a converted receiver, has smooth, fluid footwork that allows him to change directions quickly. He flies down into the box and plays with a physicality that should be admired, and his final two collegiate seasons proved he's a ball hawk (13 interceptions). Put him in a zone defense and let him do what he does best, which is read routes and jump them.
▪ Texas' Andrew Mukuba — Mukuba, who tallied 212 tackles, one sack and six interceptions in his four collegiate seasons, is a rangy ballhawk who makes quick reads and plays off instinct. His football intelligence is his best attribute. But he has a lean frame (5-11, 186 pounds), and that might push him into the third day of the draft.
▪ Oklahoma's Billy Bowman Jr. — If Bowman was two inches taller and 20 pounds heavier he would be a lock to become a first-round pick because his football intelligence, and instincts are top shelf. He's able to read blocking schemes and route concepts quickly, putting himself in position to make plays (11 college interceptions). But the 5-10, 192-pound playmaker lacks stopping power to help in run support consistently.
▪ Sleeper: Penn State's Kevin Winston Jr. — Winston's athleticism and instincts grant him the ability to be a sideline-to-sideline safety. He moves fluidly and has good short-area quickness, but an ACL injury he sustained last September, which limited him to three collegiate games, could push him into the third day of the draft even though he ran a 4.45 time in the 40 at his Pro Day in March.
▪ Best of the rest — Ohio State's Lathan Ransom, Alabama's Malachi Moore, Illinois State's Keondre Jackson, Virginia's Jonas Sanker, Maryland's Dante Trader, and Iowa's Sebastian Castro all have the makings of NFL starters with a season or two of development. And players such as Navy's Rayuan Lane III, Toledo's Maxen Hook, Colorado's Shilo Sanders, and Wisconsin's Hunter Wohler have the makeup to help on special teams, and become key reserves.
▪ Teams in need: Jacksonville, Chicago, Miami, Indianapolis, Atlanta, Cincinnati, Tampa, Pittsburgh, Minnesota and Buffalo are all in the market for safety help, and could draft one at any point in the first four rounds of the 2025 NFL draft. The third day of the NFL draft is usually flooded with safeties being taken.
▪ Dolphins focus: The Dolphins signed Ifeatu Melifonwu and Ashtyn Davis in free agency with the idea that those NFL veterans are primed and ready to become NFL starters in Anthony Weaver's defense. But they will have to beat out Elijah Campbell and Patrick McMorris, a 2024 sixth-round pick, to earn the role as replacements for Jevon Holland and Jordan Poyer. However, don't be surprised if the Dolphins add another safety at some point in the draft's seven rounds because that's one of the positions where general manager Chris Grier excels as an evaluator.